ACLU executive's court date postponed

A scheduled conference in East Hampton Town Justice Court over the driving while intoxicated arrest of American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero was adjourned Thursday, after his attorney said he needed more time to study documents in the case.

Town Justice Catherine A. Cahill postponed the conference to Oct. 6 without comment after defense attorney Edward Burke Jr. told her, "I only received the discovery today. I would like to review it." Discovery motions are routinely filed before court appearances because defense attorneys are entitled to know the charges and evidence against their clients. There was no objection to the postponement by the district attorney's office.

Romero, 46, was arrested in East Hampton Village on June 26 about 1 a.m., after a village police officer stopped him on Pantigo Road near Egypt Lane, just east of the village's business district. According to the police report, Romero was swerving and driving on the shoulder of the road and obstructing traffic by traveling at only 10 mph. He refused to take a breath test for alcohol, but the arresting officer said he was unsteady after getting out of his Mini Cooper, his breath smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and speech was slurred. Police and court records indicated this was his first DWI arrest.

There was no discussion of the charges against Romero in open court Thursday. He declined to comment outside court.

Romero pleaded not guilty to all charges after his initial arraignment in June.